[mythtv-users] satellite receiver tuner card

[Joe Votour]

> So I'm thinking about buying a new tuner card, but also thinking about
> subscribing to satellite.  What kinds of cards can control the channel
> on a satellite receiver?  Is much content on US satellite broadcasts in
>>480 lines (without extra enormous subscription fees)?  If so, what's a
> good card for HD recording?  I don't want to spend a lot, but I'd also
> like a good card.
>
>
> -Eric Hattemer
>

Using a U.S.-based satellite feed and HD recording are pretty much
mutually exclusive, at least under Linux anyway.

Your main problem is the encryption that the satellite providers use -
there is no (legal) capture card that you can use to control the satellite
receiver and grab the encrypted programs.  Supposedly, you can use a DVB-S
card to receive Dish Network FTA (Free To Air), but I don't know anything
about that.

Most content on the U.S. satellite feeds should be 480 lines - 480 lines
is standard definition.  (Or am I misinterpreting what you mean by that?)

I'd say that your best bet for using satellite is to use the box included
from the satellite provider, and connect it to a PVR-x50 card via S-Video,
using an IR Blaster (or serial port) to change channels.  Unfortunately,
you lose HD programming that way.  On the other hand, it might be possible
that satellite providers have boxes that do Firewire output now - I
wouldn't know because I have a combination of analog cable and OTA HD.

-- Joe


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